Authorization permits conversion of retail space in two buildings to JLWQA. On February 18, 2015 the City Planning Commission voted to grant Workspace, Inc. authorization to convert existing retail space into three designated Joint Live-Work Quarters for Artists units and related storage. The units will be located on the ground floor and in the cellar space of two buildings in the SoHo-Cast Iron Historic District of Manhattan, between 106 and 112 Spring Street.

In its final report, the Commission stated the application was referred to Manhattan Community Board 2 for review per non-ULURP procedures, and the Board supported the application without holding a public hearing. The Commission found the conversion would have minimal adverse effects on the conforming uses both in the buildings and in the surrounding neighborhood. The Commission also noted the conversion would facilitate new JLWQA units in an area where those units are the predominate use, and such use is supported by Community Board 2. In a written response to Commission questions, counsel for Workspace stated conversion to JLWQA would allow the co-op that owns the buildings to sell the units without tax liability, and use the additional resources to further maintain the building’s historic character.

The authorization is the third case the City Planning Commission has taken up regarding JLWQA units in SoHo. (See previous CityLand coverage here and here.)